Should I worry about stomach fat/physique or go strength/function?
Long time lurker first time poster.
My stats
Height: 5'7''
Weight (lbs): 152.5
Age: 29
Deadlift: 385
Squat: 280
Bench: shoulder issues so I use dumbbells: 90 per arm
Pullups: 17 be, 5 with a plate and good form
History: overweight in highschool. Got it together at 20 by running and dieting. Found strong lifts at 22. Did stronglifts off and on from 22 to 27 (like 6 month stints). At 27 did a lot of isometric training. Now at 29 (before lockdown) I base my workouts around a major lift.
Monday is deadlift to singles or triples, plus accessory leg work .
Tuesday is morning 5k and evening dumbbell bench, incline bench, cables, pullups, and triceps.
Wednesday is squat, box jumps, lunges, OHP and weighed stair climb.
Thursday is morning 5k evening barbell rows, many pull ups, dumbbell rows, and bench, and arms.
Friday off.
Saturday. CrossFit style workout in the morning and form check at night or front squats (new for me), OHP, and deadlifts.
Sunday: whatever. Usually arms, a bike ride, hike or make up.
My diet. Mostly chicken, rice, dates + almond butter, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, tons of eggs and lean ground beef and kale or spinach, sushi, bananas, lots of protein shakes, oatmeal, protein pancakes, some cheat meals but I rarely eat processed food.
My issue: I have always had belly fat. I have cut super hard and I just looked skinny fat and I was weak. I have bulked and got my squat up to 315 but i looked fat but was strong for my weight. Blah blah blah.
I would like to join the FD. I can pass the physical tests but I struggle. I want to be stronger and increase my conditioning significantly. To this end I have replaced my runs (Tuesday/Thursdays) with HiiT.
Should I just say F it and not worry about my belly fat and focus on strength? Should I be doing more core work? Would you cut super low then bulk? Would you bulk then cut? Is body recomposition real?
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